The Stone Kraal (Corbelled House) Vernacular Architecture of the Karoo

Corbelled houses (stone kraal houses) are a powerful and enduring icon of the Karoo. They are distributed in the triangle between Fraserberg, Williston and Sutherland. They were described by James Walton and five structures on the farms Gorras, Grootfontein, Abeiderfontein, Stuurmansforntein and Schuinshoogte.

The structures have been measured and recorded through the generous and scholarly efforts of Patricia Kramer and the Vernacular Architecture Society (VASSA).

I had the privilege of completing the first excavation linked to a corbelled house complex. Further to this, I have initiated a new project expanding the data set of information on corbelled houses. Further research we have has led to the establishment of the digital archaeological heritage research unit (DAHRU) with the aim of creating virtual maps of over 200 corbelled structures in this region of South Africa.